Exploring the pivotal variables of tongue diagnosis between patients with chronic kidney disease and health participants

• DOI: 10.3389/fdata.2024.1443646
• Publication Date: 2025-01-03T06:49:17Z
• Authors: Po-Chi Hsu; Jia-Ming Chen; Chia-Chu Chang; Yu-Jun Chang; Ping-Fang Chiu; John Y. Chiang; Lun-Chien Lo
• Keywords: Big Data; renal function; automatic tongue diagnosis system (ATDS); Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); tongue diagnosis; chronic kidney disease (CKD); Information technology; T58.5-58.64

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes tongue diagnosis to differentiate symptoms predict prognosis. This study examines the relationship between characteristics CKD severity using an automatic system (ATDS), which captures images non-invasively provide objective diagnostic information. cross-sectional, case-control was conducted from July 1, 2019, December 31, 2021. Participants were divided into three groups based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): control (eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.732), stage 3 (30 ≤ eGFR < 4-5 30 ml/min/1.732). Tongue analyzed ATDS extract nine primary features: shape, color, fur, saliva, fissures, ecchymosis, tooth marks, red dots. Statistical analyses included non-parametric methods ordinal logistic regression. revealed that differences in fur thickness, amount of saliva among groups. Ordinal regression indicated pale color (OR: 2.107, P 0.001), bluish 2.743, = yellow 3.195, wet 2.536, ecchymoses 1.031, 0.012) significantly increased severity. Additionally, each dot mark decreased odds severe CKD. features such as paleness, ecchymosis are prevalent patients can serve early clinical indicators disease. demonstrates TCM diagnosis, facilitated by ATDS, valuable, non-invasive method for identifying distinguishing its stages.